Superb second half display helps Na Piarsaigh past Patrickswell

Na Piarsaigh v Patrickswell in the Limerick Senior Hurling championship Group 1

Limerick SHC: Na Piarsaigh 0-23 Patrickswell 1-17 

A second-half scoring clinic from Na Piarsaigh saw them hold off Patrickswell in the opening round of the Limerick SHC. The winners hit a dozen second half-points to see off their city rivals, and pick up an early two points in the five-game dash for knockout hurling.

In a repeat of last years decider, which was shaded by Na Piarsaigh the greater scoring threat was arguably the difference with the scores coming from many different avenues.

The match-ups were interesting, with Will O’Donoghue marking Cian Lynch, while Mike Casey had a tough assignment in Aaron Gillane. Diarmaid Byrnes was deployed at midfield for the 20-time champions.

Jack Kelleher found the early scoring touch in a somewhat sedate early period, with Wayne Kearns finally opening the champions account after nine minutes.

Diarmaid Byrnes hit two early wides from frees but once he found his range he chipped in with a brace from play. Deployed at a slightly different midfield role, he looked to link well with Cian Lynch, who was marshalled by William O’Donoghue.

After a quarter of this contest, it was double scores – 0-6 to 0-3 - with Aaron Gillane joining his inter-county teammates on the scoresheet, via a 65.

2023 Hurler of the Year Gillane was found occasionally with long-puck outs from younger brother Jason, with two quick-fire points opening up a four point advantage for the first time. However, Ciaran Carey’s side stepped off the gas, or rather, Na Piarsaigh stepped on it themselves.

Four in a row in the closing four minutes of action meant it was all square at half-time. Will Henn, Dowling’s second long-range free and further points from Kevin Downes and Ronan Lynch meant it was 0-11 apiece. It was the first time the sides were level.

The opening goal arrived from Patrick Kirby. He was sharpest to a rebound after Shane Dowling stopped a bullet from Kevin O’Brien with his upper body. But from here, only four Gillane frees were all that the Well could muster in the final 20 minutes.

The Caherdavin quality began to shine through. Henn blasted wide, when looking to find the net after a neat lay off by Dempsey. But points led the way to victory. Henn, Ronan Lynch, Conor Boylan and sub Dylan Lynch were all accurate.

Ciaran Carey’s men hunted a levelling goal by Byrnes was denied by Dowling from a 21 meter free.

In all, Patrickswell registered ten wides, with eight from Shane O’Neill’s three-in-a-row chasing light blues.

Scorers for Na Piarsaigh: R Lynch 0-8 (0-6 frees); K Downes 0-4; W Henn 0-3; S Dowling (0-2 frees), D Dempsey, C Boylan 0-2 each; W Kearns, D Lynch 0-1.

Scorers for Patrickswell: A Gillane 0-9 (0-5 frees, 0-1 ’65); P Kirby 1-1; J Kelleher 0-3; D Byrnes 0-2; C Lynch, E Fitzgerald 0-1 each.

NA PIARSAIGH: S Dowling; C King, M Casey (Capt), G Synnott ; V Harrington, W O’Donoghue, M Foley; T Grimes, W Kearns; JJ Carey, C Boylan, K Downes; R Lynch, D Dempsey, W Henn.

Subs: E McEvoy for Foley (46); D Lynch for Henn (inj - 51) J Fitzgerald for Kearns (52); S Long for Synnott (57). 

PATRICKSWELL: J Gillane; K Lynch, C Fitzgerald, J Flynn; M Carmody, N Foley, J Carrig; D Byrnes, J Murray; E Fitzgerald, C Lynch (Capt), J Kelleher; P Kirby, K O’Brien, A Gillane.

Subs: John Kirby for Foley (Temp – 22); C O’Gorman for Murray (41); T O’Brien for Fitzgerald (48); E Harmon for K O’Brien (51).

Referee: Eamonn Stapleton (Doon).